One of the SEC’s top softball rivalries will be recommenced Friday afternoon from the land of bluegrass.
Florida softball and Alabama will meet in the 2026 SEC Tournament Semifinals from John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky, on May 8. The winner faces either No. 4 Texas or No. 9 Georgia in the tournament final Saturday.
It wasn’t always pretty Thursday morning in the Gators’ first game of the tournament, but they held off a desperate Auburn team playing for their postseason lives. UF came back from down three – tied for the biggest program comeback in tournament history – and ultimately prevailed 10-9 as both squads combined for 24 hits.
Alabama experienced a much less stressful Thursday. In a battle between the top-ranked RPI teams in the country, the Crimson Tide prevailed 7-1 over Arkansas behind four home runs and a complete game from Jocelyn Briski.
At 48-6, legendary coach Patrick Murphy has maybe his best squad since the Tide’s 2012 national championship.
But coach Tim Walton could have some tricks up his sleeve, even as Florida enters as the “underdog.”
The two coaches and programs have engaged in iconic matchups over the years. UA leads the all-time series 47-45, but in their last meeting, UF took two of three in 2025.
Their last SEC Tournament game occurred in the 2019 SEC Tournament Final, won 2-1 by the Gators.
Friday should be yet another top battle, and a good test for UF, which hasn’t played Alabama, Texas or Oklahoma this season.
Florida softball vs Alabama SEC Tournament live updates
Alabama capitalizes on UF mistakes | B2
After playing with fire in the first, Alabama makes Florida pay in the second. Ambrey Taylor leads off the inning with a solo blast. After Stevens loads the bases for the second consecutive season, Ana Roman and Marlie Giles drive in three RBIs combined. Florida trails 4-0 vs. Alabama through two.
Gators leave bases loaded | T2
Another frustrating inning for Florida. It continues to show a good eye at the plate with another three walks vs. Moten, but a Shumaker strikeout and a Erickson flyout end the inning. Moten at 66 pitches so far, but UF is without a run or a hit for that matter.
Leah Stevens calm, composed for the Gators | B1
Stevens matches Moten by putting Alabama’s first two runners on base with a hit and walk, but she also keeps the Crimson Tide scoreless, despite a rare error from Taylor Shumaker. Tide leave the bases loaded, and we’re even at zero through one.
Florida softball misses opportunity | T1
Alabama freshman Vic Moten seemed a little rattled to start and walked Taylor Shumaker and Jocelyn Erickson to start the game. The two then moved to second and third on a passed ball. However, three straight strikeouts to Ava Brown, Townsen Thomas and Kenleigh Cahalan ends the inning. Tough break to start for the Gators.
Kendall Grover out for the Gators
In an “abundance of caution,” as described by radio announcer Ryan Urquhart, the Gators starting third baseman is out today. She’s started all 57 games this season and drove in two RBIs Thursday vs. Auburn.
Leah Stevens starting for Florida softball
In a bit of a surprise, coach Tim Walton is handing the ball to true freshman Leah Stevens. The Palm Coast native is making her eighth start of the season and third in SEC play. The previous two, though, occured against Missouri and Auburn — two of the SEC’s lower ranked teams.
Florida softball vs Alabama starting lineups
Florida
Leah Stevens is the starting pitcher.
Alabama
Starting pitcher is Vic Moten.
How to watch Florida softball vs Alabama in the 2026 SEC Tournament
The game will air on ESPN. On the radio, the game can be heard on 98.1 FM/850 AM WRUF with Ryan Urquhart and Nevada Cullen as announcers.
Stream Florida softball games
Start time for Florida softball vs Alabama in the 2026 SEC Tournament
First pitch is set for 5 p.m. (4 p.m. CT) from John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.
Florida softball SEC Tournament history
The Gators have won the conference tournament six times (2008, 2009, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2024) since its inception in 1997. That’s tied for most all-time with Alabama. Last season, the sixth-seeded Gators were eliminated in the second round by Ole Miss 6-4 in eight innings, their earliest exit in the Tim Walton era.
Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at nram@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1 and on Instagram @Ramreporter.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida softball vs Alabama 2026 SEC Tournament live score updates, highlights
Reporting by Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
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